Crawling Pictures

I think he's pretty adorable up on his hands and knees.

A Little Milestone

Benjamin started crawling with his tummy off of the floor today! I know that may not be a lot for other families to cheer about, but for us it is! My kids have all dragged themselves on their tummies for months. Benjamin does a funny swimming motion: he pulls with one hand and the other forearm, and he pushes with one leg. It's very effective.

When Jonathan was little, he started crawling the traditional hands-and-knees way just before he walked at 14 mos., and I'm hoping the same will be true for Benjamin. I'm not wishing away his babyhood, but I'm excited for him to walk. I think he's going to love it. His physical development has been similar to Jonathan's, who pulled up at 11 mos. and walked at 14 mos. (Grace's was pretty unique - not like either brother.) Since Benjamin pulled up at 10 mos., I hope that he'll walk pretty soon. Of course I'll keep everyone posted!

In the Playroom

They are starting to be able to play with each other a little bit. I love it! That means that Benjamin is starting to drive Grace a little bit crazy, too, but it's all part of the game, and part of my job to show them how to treat each other. He wants to do everything that his older siblings can do!

Thankful for Baby Gates

Dinner

A Conversation with Grace...Last Sunday

Me:  Gracie, how was Sunday school today?
G:  Good.
Me:  What did you learn about?
G:  God.
Me:  What did you learn about God?
G:  I saw a friend who has the same shoes that I have.  But it's OK that that girl friend has the same shoes.

I Changed Grace's Diaper...

And when I was done, this is what I found in Benjamin's mouth.

The Fun Thing He Did

In Jonathan's class, the kids take turns being student of the week. Among other things, the student of the week takes the class bear home for the weekend and journals about what happens from the bear's point of view. The student also includes pictures of something fun that the bear did. This is the picture Jonathan put in the bear's journal.

What We Did on New Year's Day

Faces

broccoli face

preparing-for-the-flash face

What to Wear on a Rainy Day

"Mommy, There Is a Letter in my Hands!"

"It's a U!"

Realizing...

That I never did do a post about our Christmas celebrating.  Or about our post-Christmas getaway with the kids.  Sigh... Well, we did do those things, and we did have a good time...but I think I'm going to try to keep up with the current postable stuff.  My three little helpers have me hopping!

"Metamorphosis of a Frog"

By Jonathan
Eggs, tadpole, and frog.

How Benjamin Stays Busy

He has discovered the dishwasher lock.  And how to work it.  Lovely.

Daydreaming about getting his license.

Plotting his escape.

Learning to climb the outside of the stairs before he can walk.

Making his first graham cracker disappear.

Happy 13 month birthday, Benjamin!  <3

Updating Pictures

A few years ago, Jeff started a tradition of giving me an 8x10 picture for Christmas of one of the first moments I had with our baby. I never would have chosen to put a picture of myself up on the wall, but since Jeff did it, it was very sweet. The tradition continued this Christmas. Here's what my little collection of newborn moments looks like now.

Busy

Silly Boys

Jonathan is pretending to be a grasshopper and also trying to get Benjamin to crawl through the tunnel. Both boys are cracking up.

Gracie

After taking Jonathan to school:
"Mommy, I'm sad that my buddy leaved!"
At Target:
"What was that hilarious noise?"
And on the way home:
"That was definitely difficult."

From Our Getaway

These pics are from our mini getaway to the lake. Jeff took them on his phone, but I can see them and post them from here. What a great perk! I love these pictures of our kids.

Mobile Posting

I'm playing with the new toy I got for Christmas...an iPod Touch. Since I can pull it out of my pocket, take a pic of the kids, and post it here in just a few moments, you might be seeing posts from me more frequently. (maybe.). You may notice some annoying mistakes, courtesy of autocorrect, too. :). (And no, still no iPhone... I don't want to be quite THAT connected.)

Big Enough to Cook Up Trouble

Determination